Lismore's Driver to America race lead shared by five

FIVE V8 Dirt Modified drivers share the lead in the Driver to America series entering the Boxing Day speedway meeting at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway on Saturday night.

National champion Jai Stephenson, Andrew Firth, Phil McNamara, Tim Luscombe and Brent Hall are level at the top of the leader board.

Points will be vital in the main event this weekend, which also doubles as the opening round of the Mr Modified series.

"The Driver to America season premiership has added even greater interest to the local racing scene," promoter David Lander said yesterday.

"With so many drivers in contention in the early stages of the series, it indicates that every feature race will be vital as we move into the high time of the season with plenty of meetings ahead over the next six weeks."

Driver to America series points can be scored only in feature race competition, with three points for a win, two for second and one for third. Points also can be earned in feature races at Grafton.

The Mr Modified series is a competition within the season premiership and is being held over three rounds.

Lander also has put up a prize similar to the Driver to America series prize, two air tickets, for the Wingless Sprintcar division.

Like the V8 Dirt Modifieds, there is little in points between the main contenders. Local stars Mick Santin and Warren King are equal on top of the table.

Santin has dominated the early season main events, while King has been consistent with a couple of placings before his feature race success at Grafton earlier this month.

Saturday night at Lismore Speedway is the start of a busy six weeks of racing.

The V8 Dirt Modifieds and Wingless Sprintcars will be supported by Modified Sedans, Production Sedans, Wingless Sprints, Junior Sedans, Street Stocks and National Four-Cylinder Sedans.